Yasin Malik, Agnivesh arrested; J&K Police admit lapses in firing

Srinagar: JKLF chairman Yaseen Malik and social activist Swami Agnivesh were on Saturday detained when they tried to lead a march towards Narbal in central Kashmir's Budgam district where a youth was killed in firing by security forces during a protest.

A police statement here has accepted that standard operating procedure (SOP) was violated by those security personnel who fired at a mob in Narbal village in which a teenager was killed during clashes.

Malik and Agnivesh earlier sat on a symbolic hunger strike in Maisuma locality of Srinagar city along with activists of JKLF against the government's proposed decision to set up composite townships for migrant Pandits in the Kashmir Valley.

In the afternoon, Malik and Swami Agnivesh decided to proceed to Narbal village where a teenager died in firing by security forces in the morning during clashes between a stone pelting mob and the security forces.

"Yasin Malik and Swami Agnivesh have been taken into preventive custody to maintain law and order in the city," a senior police officer said.

"They have been lodged inside the Kothibagh police station," he added.

Meanwhile, situation continued to remain tense in Narbal village of central Badgam district where the teenager identified as Suhail Ahmad Sofi was killed when security forces opened fire to quell protests.

Protesters have now blocked the Srinagar-Gulmarg road and are squatting on the road along with the body of the slain youth.

Protesters and relatives have refused to bury the teenager's body unless those responsible for the firing incident are identified and brought to justice.